Uzungöl Area

Address: Uzungöl (Çaykara district), Trabzon Province, Turkey

Hours: Open year-round (village/lake area)

Admission: Free

Uzungöl is a lake and lakeside village in the Çaykara district of Trabzon Province in northeastern Turkey, set in a steep, wooded mountain valley. It is a well-known domestic tourist destination in the Turkish Black Sea region.

The site features a lakeside promenade, traditional wooden houses and guesthouses, and steep forested slopes that rise directly from the water, providing panoramic views and short walking trails. Many visitors come for photography, short hikes, local restaurants, and the valley scenery.

The settlement expanded in the late 20th century as tourism grew; facilities for overnight stays and lakeside dining increased to accommodate visitors. The village functions as the service hub for recreational visits to the lake and surrounding hills.

Uzungöl sits in the Çaykara valley in Trabzon Province in the Turkish Black Sea region, surrounded by steep forested mountains. The village is accessed by winding mountain roads from the surrounding towns in eastern Trabzon.

• Seasonal access: Best visited outside the heavy snow months when the access road up the valley is more reliable and local facilities are open.

Uzungöl is reached from Trabzon by road southeast along the D885 toward Çaykara and Uzungöl; the drive is about 95-110 km and takes roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic and weather.

There are regular regional minibuses and bus services from Trabzon’s main bus terminal to Çaykara and Uzungöl; once in the village the lake and surrounding walkways are a short walk from the drop-off points.

• Visit Uzungöl at dawn or late afternoon to avoid the large coach‑tour crowds that concentrate on the lakeside promenade during mid‑day; early morning also brings atmospheric mist over the valley.
• Skip the busiest lakeshore strip for the classic view: climb the short path behind the village or stay in a hillside hotel for panoramic views of the lake framed by forested slopes.
• If arriving from Trabzon, allow time for the mountain drive and check recent road conditions in advance - the valley road can be slow and is used by many tour buses.